Would Dome Be Good Bear Home?

Playing Indoors Could Change Image

Would a move indoors transform the Monsters of the Midway into the Windy City Wimps?

Would the switch from Bear weather and windchill factors to a climate-controlled, breeze-less environment terminate an era of physical,

intimidating football?

Yes, says Bears owner Michael McCaskey.

No, say some of his players.

Definitely, there will be changes if the Bears became the lead tenant in the proposed domed stadium near McCormick Place. Are we talking about the image of the team?

``It would change it dramatically, it sure would,`` McCaskey said. ``But we are willing to approach the question of a domed stadium with an open mind. The stadium might be closed, but our minds are open.``

``I think the image of the team will be up to the players,`` wide receiver Wendell Davis said. ``If we go indoors and start playing the way the Bears have always played, the image will remain the same.

``Probably those who have been with the Bears for years will be opposed to it. They`re used to guys playing in shirts without sleeves in freezing weather. They don`t worry about the cold weather. They call it Bear weather.`` Playing on artificial turf does put a heavier emphasis on speed. Yet, it doesn`t mean the Bears will begin turning soft and eating quiche. The Houston Oilers play in the Astrodome and are among the most intimidating hitters in the league.

The biggest adjustment would be from the resilient grass of Soldier Field to the unyielding carpet in their possible new home.

``Studies show it does increase the likelihood of injury,`` safety Dave Duerson said. ``Once you plant your foot on artificial turf, there`s no give. But, when we play in subzero weather on a frozen ground, that`s probably more dangerous than playing on an artificial surface. I`d rather have too much footing than no footing.``

Linebacker Jim Morrissey tore cartilage in his knee two years ago playing in the Hoosier Dome.

``Nobody hit me, I was just in pursuit of a runner and I came down on the carpet wrong,`` Morrissey said. ``You can look at this in two ways. Injuries seem to escalate on artificial turf, but in another way, this could make us a lot better.

``Look around the league. The two places that are the most difficult to play in are Seattle (Kingdome) and Minnesota (Metrodome). They are so loud. I know even coach (Mike) Ditka doesn`t like to play games in places like that.`` The enclosed structure would even help Bear fans who sit on their hands generate more decibels.

``It would be fun to see our fans go completely off like the way they do at Bulls and Blackhawks games,`` Duerson said. ``Soldier Field, the way it`s constructed, all the sound escapes and goes straight out.

``Hey, the Bears would still be the Bears. We might even be meaner. The fans never became a part of the game at Soldier Field. But I was at a Hawks`

game and folks started going crazy during the playing of the National Anthem. I was just a spectator, and I was getting psyched up. The players are going to feel emotion in the new stadium.``

McCaskey is a purist when it comes to football played on real grass underneath blue skies. He said surveys have indicated Bears fans much prefer an open-air stadium.

He is going to pursue the possibility of a sliding roof that can be removed on game days and placed in a parking lot. He hopes to find a way a natural grass surface playing field can be transported in and laid down on Sundays.

The Bears realize this is their last chance for a new stadium.

``The governor and mayor have indicated that if we want help, the best way is to take a serious look at a domed stadium,`` McCaskey said. ``The Bears would expect something similar to the last team (White Sox) that entered into such an agreement.

``With parking and concession revenue, we`re shut out now. We`d like a lease arrangement that would be fair and reflect what happens with other National Football League teams.``

According to Sports Corp. Ltd. President Mark Ganis, who specializes in the development of stadium and arenas, the Bears` situation is similar to the Atlanta Falcons. With its dome debut less than three years away, the Falcons hammered out an agreement with the stadium authority conceding skybox, advertising, parking and concession revenue in exchange for a guaranteed payment of $4 million and 70 percent of their first $2.9 million in profits and 50 percent after that. The Falcons pay rent, but were also given a $6 million, one-time inducement payment.

``It`s exactly the same type of building, except for the extra million square feet of convention space,`` Ganis said. ``But the two situations are similar in scope.``